Page 29 of Magic in Mistletoe
Martin’s gloved hand extended toward Sadie, offering assistance as she climbed back into the sleigh. The worn leather creaked under her weight, and she pulled a blanket around her.
“Are you ready?” Martin asked.
Sadie nodded. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d always known there was something different about him, but Santa Claus? No way.
As the sleigh carried them further out of town, Sadie retrieved her phone from her pocket and typed out a quick message to Rosie.
“Having dinner with Martin.” She hit send. Immediately, she received a reply of three heart emojis.
“Everything alright?” Martin asked, concern in his eyes.
“Um, yeah. Just letting Rosie know where I am,” Sadie replied. “That way, if I’m never seen again, they’ll know where to begin the search.”
“Ah, good idea,” he chuckled.
They traveled in silence, the rhythmic sound of the sleigh gliding over snow its own form of conversation. Sadie found herself questioning everything she knew about this man. If he really was Santa Claus, why would he reveal himself to her? And if he wasn’t, then she was in big, big trouble.
Her thoughts swirled like snowflakes in the winter wind as they journeyed further into the forest. Sadie felt a strange mixture of anxiety and anticipation building within her chest. What awaited her beyond the familiar streets and storefronts? And more importantly, could she trust the man guiding her there?
The snowflakes danced around them as the sleigh continued its journey, the reindeer’s breaths puffing out in small clouds of condensation. Sadie shivered, drawing the blanket even tighter. The silence between them was thick as Martin’s revelation hung heavily in the air.
She stole a glance at him, taking in his confident posture and the way he guided the sleigh with ease. He appeared unfazed by their quietude, but was it all an act?
“Sadie,” Martin finally said, breaking the silence. “I know this must be difficult for you to understand, and it means everything to me that you’d trust me enough to listen, so let me explain everything.”
She turned to face him fully. “Go on,” she prompted.
“So the magic in my family goes back generations. Currently, my grandfather Kris is the one in charge, the CEO, if you will,” he began, his voice steady. “My father and aunt, they’re like vice presidents. They help oversee the entire operation.”
“And you?” Sadie asked, searching his eyes for any hint of deception.
“Me? I’m more like a general manager,” Martin said, a wistful smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “All the Santa Clauses are.”
“Wait. What do you mean all?”
“This is where reality and legend differ. My cousins and I work together to manage toy production and delivery. There’s not only one Santa Claus. It’s way too big a job for one person. Currently, there are eight of us.”
Sadie’s head hurt as she tried to reconcile Martin’s version with what she’d believed as a child. Then she remembered Martin’s grandfather requesting candy for his eight grandchildren and how Martin described his toy business as an international conglomerate. “Eight?”
“Correct. We’re spread across the world and run things on the ground.”
“Sounds more like a crime syndicate,” Sadie said, causing Martin to laugh.
There was something about the sincerity in his voice that made her want to believe him, but the rational part of her mind kept whispering that it was impossible.
“Why are you telling me all of this?” she asked.
“Because in order for our relationship to go any further, I need you to understand who I am. And not only that, I want to be open and truthful, as you’ve been hurt by secrets before. Especially at Christmas.”
Sadie stared at him, searching for any hint of falsehood. The idea of him being part of the legendary Santa Claus family was still hard to swallow. That she even referred to it as the ‘legendary Santa Claus family’ was comical. But as she studied his face, he held only sincerity and unwavering determination in his gaze, and the smallest, teeny tiniest part of her heart started to believe.
Sadie swallowed hard, her heart pounding. She had so many questions, but she didn’t know where to begin. All she could do was hold on to the sides of the sleigh and brace herself for whatever lay ahead.
Eventually, the sleigh came to a halt near a clearing at the edge of a wild forest. Snow-covered trees towered above them, their branches drooping. A sense of calm settled over the scene like a blanket, muffling the sound of their breaths in the crisp air.
“Take my hand,” Martin said, reaching out to her.
Sadie hesitated only briefly before placing her gloved hand in his.
